What is heart failure?
Heart failure occurs when your heart can’t pump enough blood. As a result, organs and tissues are deprived of the oxygen and nutrients they need to function and stay healthy.There are three types of heart failure:
- Left-sided heart failure: The heart can’t send enough oxygenated blood to your body
- Right-sided heart failure: The heart can’t pump enough blood to the lungs to pick up oxygen
- Congestive heart failure: Blood can’t return to the heart, so it builds up in your body
- In many cases, all three types exist at the same time.
What causes heart failure?
Heart failure develops when the muscles responsible for pushing blood through your heart are too weak or too thick to function normally. Several underlying health conditions can result in heart failure, including:
- Coronary artery disease
- Heart attack
- High blood pressure
- Faulty heart valves
- Cardiomyopathy (damaged heart muscles)
- Myocarditis (inflamed heart muscles)
- Heart arrhythmias
- Chronic disease (diabetes and thyroid disease)
Of all the possible causes, coronary artery disease, a buildup of cholesterol that blocks blood flow, is the most common problem leading to heart failure.
What symptoms develop due to heart failure?
Heart failure causes symptoms such as:
- Shortness of breath
- Coughing or wheezing
- Edema (buildup of fluids)
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Confusion
- Memory loss
- Increased heart rate
You may initially have difficulty breathing only when you’re active, but in later stages, you may have shortness of breath when you lie down to rest or when you’re sleeping.
How is heart failure treated?
Heart failure is a chronic health condition that can’t be cured, but ongoing management can improve your symptoms and your heart’s overall health.
Dr. Avaricio treats the underlying condition causing your heart failure and develops a plan for ongoing disease management that includes:
Lifestyle changes
Steps like reducing sodium consumption, limiting alcohol, and losing weight, if needed, can help manage heart failure.
Medications
Dr. Avaricio may prescribe one of many medications to treat problems associated with heart failure. For example, some medications reduce blood volume, others help strengthen the heartbeat, and others take stress off your heart by slowing the heart rate and lowering blood pressure.
Medical devices
Implantable devices help heart failure by supporting the heart’s electrical system and helping the heart pump blood.
Surgery
Dr. Avaricio may recommend procedures such as coronary bypass, heart valve repair, and ventricular restoration.
To get expert care for heart failure, call Advanced Cardiac Care or book an appointment online.
